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Castle Rock gas blast started in basement

The Denver Post

Posted:
10/17/2012 04:50:19 PM MDT

Updated:
10/18/2012 08:12:16 AM MDT

Chongmas Kalyanamitra talks to friends on her back porch next to a house that exploded at 6942 Sulphur Lane in Castle Rock on Friday. The house was destroyed, and two neighboring houses were heavily damaged and deemed uninhabitable, including Kalyanamitra's. Her family must move out until the house is ruled safe. (Photos by Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

Officials have concluded their investigation into what caused the natural gas explosion that leveled a Castle Rock home Friday.

Investigators found that the blast originated in a basement room where the furnace and water heater were located, according to a news release from the Castle Rock Fire Department. The investigation, however, could not reveal whether it was the furnace or the water heater that ignited.

Both appliances had significant damage.

Around 7 a.m. on Friday, Lisa Martinez and four children — Chuna Martinez, a 6-year-old girl; Elen Martinez, a 4-year-old girl; Oz Martinez, an 11-year-old boy; and Ahbie, 7-year-old boy — where watching TV in an upstairs bedroom when the explosion happened.

Photos: Castle Rock house explosion

The four children are adoptees from Ethiopia. Lisa Martinez's husband, Lt. Jimmy Martinez, is an officer with the Denver Police Department. He was not home at the time of the explosion.

The family has 4 other children, ages 25, 23, 23 and 18 who no longer live at home. Another son, 16-year-old Ryan Martinez, would normally have been sleeping in the basement but was at a friend's house.

The home, at 6942 Sulfur Lane in Castle Rock's Sapphire Point, will be turned over to the insurance company.

As firefighters were combing through the rubble Tuesday night, they found the family's cat. The cat crawled into the firefighter's arms.

Black Hills Energy, which provides service to the area, said that there are no additional gas issues in the area. Any residents who want to have their appliances checked, should call a licensed heating and air conditioning contractor.

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